Maine Development Foundation president and CEO
to speak at UMPI
PRESQUE ISLE — President Don Zillman has announced that Laurie Lachance, president and CEO of the Maine Development Foundation, will deliver the commencement address during the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s 103rd commencement ceremony, to be held on Saturday, May 12. During the event, an honorary doctor of humane letters degree will be presented to Lachance.
“We are honored to have one of the state’s distinguished leaders in economic and community development address our graduating class this year. Laurie Lachance 
is leading many important efforts at the Maine Development Foundation, including strengthening communities and encouraging leadership that improves the lives of the people of Maine. We know her work and the words of wisdom she will share with our graduates during our commencement exercises will serve as inspiration as they prepare to enter their chosen careers,” Zillman said. “We are also very pleased to be honoring Lachance for her outstanding example of leadership and community service by conferring upon her an honorary doctorate degree.”
Lachance has led the Maine Development Foundation (MDF), a highly-regarded nonprofit membership organization established in 1978, for eight years. MDF supports a high quality of life for all Maine people by empowering leaders, strengthening communities and guiding public policy. Through its programs, MDF stimulates new ideas, develops Maine’s leaders and provides a common ground for solving problems and advancing important issues.
Prior to her work at MDF, Lachance served as the Maine state economist in the State Planning Office for Governors McKernan, King and Baldacci (1993-2004). She worked at Central Maine Power Company from 1983-93, working in positions from economic analyst to corporate economist.
Lachance graduated from Bowdoin College in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. She was a James Bowdoin Scholar. She went on to earn her master’s of business administration degree from Thomas College Graduate School in 1992. Lachance is a proud graduate of MDF’s Leadership Maine program — in which she participated in 1998 prior to coming on board with the MDF. She also participated in the Innovation Engineering Leadership Institute in 2010 and ‘12.
In her civic work, she serves on several boards and committees, including Educare of Central Maine (chair), Thomas College Board of Trustees, Educate Maine Board of Directors, University of Maine Board of Visitors, International Women’s Forum, Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center Advisory Committee and Economic Development Council of Maine Board of Directors.
The university’s commencement exercises are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on May 12 in Wieden Gymnasium.
